cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/3953768

After studying DPRK wages and prices for a while, I wanted to make a comparison between the economic life of a north Korean coal miner in North Hamgyong Province compared to one in West Virginia, USA.

Working conditions

Workweek

DPRK: 6 hours/day, 6 days/week (36 hours)

USA: 10 hours/day, 5 days/week (50 hours)

Paid Time Off

DPRK: 52 weekends + 71 national holidays + 28 PTO = 151 days

US: 104 weekends + 11 national holidays = 124 days

% unionized

DPRK: 100% (+ Taean work system giving extra worker democracy)

USA: 17%

Monthly wages & expenses

Wages

DPRK: 360,000 KPW

USA: 4,600 USD

Rent

DPRK: Free

USA: 600 USD (13% income)

Utilities

DPRK: Free

USA: 200 USD (4.3% income)

Food

DPRK: Free (From PDS)

USA: 710 USD (15.4% income)

Healthcare

DPRK: Free

USA: 1400 USD (30% income)

Taxes

DPRK: No taxes

USA: 750 USD (16% income)

Leftover Salary after monthly expenses

DPRK: 360,000 KPW

USA: 940 USD

One-time purchases

Television

DPRK: 22,000 KPW (6% of saved income, subsidized by state)

USA: 100 USD (11% of saved income)

Bicycle

DPRK: 250,000 KPW (69% of saved income, unreliable figure)

USA: 100 USD (11% of saved income)

However, most Americans cannot navigate with just a bike and need a car (15,000 USD) while DPRK residents only need a bike due to better-planned towns.

Aspirin, one bottle

DPRK: 600 KPW (0.17% saved income)

USA: $8 (0.89% saved income)

Eating out at a medium-grade restaurant, per person

DPRK: 20,000 KPW (5.6% saved income)

USA: 25 USD (2.8% saved income)

Ski Vacation, per person

DPRK: Free (Paid for by government)

USA: 2,500 USD (278% saved income)

Long-term Expenses

Childbirth

DPRK: Free (Covered by healthcare)

USA: 20,000 USD (2200% saved income)

Tertiary Education

DPRK: Free (All universities)

USA: 52,000 USD (4 years at WVU, 5780% saved income)

Funeral

DPRK: Free (Paid for by government)

USA: 5000 USD (556% saved income)

Please tell me if I made a mistake or missed out on something crucial. Of course, there is no way to portray the increased workers’ rights and enhanced democratic system in numbers.